Laws around Intellectual Property

Digital communications and global online systems are having a substantial effect on our copyright and trademark laws. There is considerable debate over whether laws that were designed to protect the copying of physical objects can be enforced in an environment where copying is cheap, easy, instantaneous and perfect. Because the information industries are the fastest growing segment of the U.S. economy, there is a great deal of economic interest in finding both legal and technical ways to protect the information product in the digital environment.
At issue is the balance between public and private interests. Strict copyright laws may protect the interests of companies selling intellectual property products, but these same laws could limit public access to information. CPSR supports copyright legislation that protects the public's ability to pursue ideas through the assertion of fair use rights.

International Action

The CODE campaign is an international coalition of civil liberties groups and consumer rights initiatives to protect consumer rights, innovation, and competition against the proposed European Union Directive on the Enforcement of Intellectual Property.
CPSR is a member of the coalition and a signatory of the original letter opposing the proposed Directive.

On October 4, 2004, the General Assembly of the World Intellectual Property Organization agreed to adopt a proposal offered by Argentina and Brazil, the "Proposal for the Establishment of a Development Agenda for WIPO" (sometimes referred to as "Item 12" because of its placement listing on the meeting's agenda). This proposal was strongly supported by developing countries, as well as by a large contingent of civil society. Prior to the General Assembly meeting, hundreds of nonprofits, scientists, academics and other individuals had signed the "Geneva Declaration on the Future of WIPO," which calls on WIPO to focus more on the needs of developing countries, and to view IP as one of many tools for development - not as an end in itself. CPSR is a signatory.